INDIAN CONSTITUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20725, 19 November 1930, Page 11

INDIAN CONSTITUTION.

LONDON CONFERENCE. DEMAND FOR FREEDOM. SELF-GOVERNMENT ISSUE. EQUALITY IN THE EMPIRE. VIEWS FRANKLY STATED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 18. 5.5 p.m.) ■British Wireless. RUGBY. Nov. 17. A plenary session of the Indian Roundtable Conference was held this morning. The Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, read a message from Lord Stamfordham, private secretary to the King, stating 'that His Majesty had received with much satisfaction the communication expressing 11 io dutiful thanks of tho conference to him for undertaking the opening ceremony and' to tho Queen for the kindly solicitude Her Majesty had displayed toward the delegates Before the delegates proceeded with the ngonda, Mr. Mac Donald extended a cordial welcome to tho delegates. He said they must keep in mind two things, firstly, that they wero there to co-operate, and, secondly, that they must be animated by u determination to succeed. An interesting discussion was provoked by the recommendation of the business comrnittco that tho question should be debated whether tho future Constitution of India should be on a federal or unitary basis. Tt was suggested that tho general trend of such a discussion would enablo the conference, with the help of the committee, to frame a programme for futuro discussion in committee. Tho Prime Minister said that as chairman he would rule that a liberal interpretation bo put upon the committee's report, and would allow the delegates to refer to cognate questions. Federal Government Advocated. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, one of British Indian delegates, opened a discussion on the futuro constitution of India. He ''said it was perfectly natural such a country as his. brought into contact with Western ideas and vibrating with the ney? movement in the East, should seek freedom within its own borders as an integral part of the British Empire. India wanted, and was determined to achieve, a status of equality with tho other three members of tho Empire, which would givo lier a Government not merely responsible to., but responsive to, the popular voice. Personally, said Sir Tej, he believed it ■would not do to offer provincial autonomy unless it wero coupled with a decided and clear change in tho constitution of tho central Government, which must be made responsible to the Legislature. He was ji strong believer in tho federal form of government and believed that therein lay the salvation of India. He would welcome the association of tho Indian States with British India mainly for three reasons. The States would furnish a stabilising factor in their constitution, tho process t>f unification would begin without delay find in regard to defence matters they would furnish practical experience which jet was wanting in British India. Views on Commerce and Defence. Referring fo commerce, Sir Taj said ♦ here was not a single man at the, conference who would like to have any cxpropviatory legislation. Europeans were quite welcome to suggest any safeguards for their rights and interests, and Indians would most willingly meet them. In regard to the army, they realised that they bad to train a sufficient number rif their own men, which would require patience. What they required was an opportunity to train thein and freedom to establish institutions. "So far as your army is concerned," said the speaker, "by all means keep it in tha hands of the Viceroy. We, on our part,'are willing to provide the funds jind to agree to statutory charges in respect of the army." Ruled by Civil Servants. .Continuing, Sir Tej said the ordinary Parliamentarian had neither tho necessary lime, capacity or vision to understand India's inind and feelings. Even the Secretary of State for India, no matter how distinguished, was ono of them, and consequently relied on tho advice of the India/ Office staff. Therefore, India was not under Parliamentary sovereignty, but that of half-a-dozen civil servants in England and another half-dozen in India. They could not expect India to remain content with such government. Voice of the Indian States. The Maharaja of Bikaner said the ultimate attainment of Dominion status by India was inherent, in the declaration of policy made in 1917 and it had more recently received authoritative endorsements Let them aim at that, fully realising that their sister States did not reach their end at one stride. In'the intervening stage certain safeguards arid guarantees were imperatively necessary for the security of the body politic and all parts of it. Speaking from <he point of view of the Indian States the Maharaja said that linked with their devotion to the Crown was an unfaltering Inherence to the British Commonwealth of Nations. They of the Indian States were willing to take part in, and to make their contributions to the greater prosperity and contentment of India as a whole. J bat could best bo done through a I* edeial system of Government, composed of the States and British India. Claim for Dominion Status. Mr. M. R. Jayakar put forward the point of view of the younger generation in India. He said it was a time of the ntm/jst importance because if India to-day secured what she wanted she would be satisfied with many things which would not satisfy her six months hence. " If you give India Dominion status to day," said Mr. Jayakar, " in the course of a few months the cry of inde pendence will die of itself. If. ° n t' ic other hand, wo return empty-handed it will be the surest way of raising, in volume and intensity, this cry of independence." Beferririg to the army question Mr. Jayakar said Indians would listen to any Safeguards suggested during the period of transition in order to make it more easy Arid safe for both sides. As for the minorities question "it could be solved by giving opportunities for common endeavoui W> Indians. That feeling could be created

only by giving India complete freedom in the form of Dominion status. " Harness all the minorities together," said the speaker, " and much discontent will disappear. Young India does not insist upon impossible terms of federation, but only upon such terms as most of the Indian States at present arc prepared to accept." Referring to British trade Mr. Jayakar said: "We are quite willing to accept safeguards to give British traders an equal chanco with Indians, but wo must warn them that they are nnt going to continue enjoying a monopoly because their skin contains less pigment than mine." A panel of six- chairmen was set up, embracing the Marquis of Reading, Viscount Peel, the Maharaja of Bikaner, the Nawnb of Bhopal, the Aga Khan and Mr. Srinivasa Saslri.

It was agreed that the general discussion now proceeding shall extend over tho mornings of three days and that the order of speakers shall bo pre-arranged.

After a discussion which revealed some division of opinion the president, Mr. Mac Donald, said tho general senso was that the press should not be admitted to the general discussions, but should have full and impartial information about the proceedings from three officers of the general secretariat, acting under the general control of a committee consisting of Mr. Wedgwood Benn, Secretary of State for India, representing tho British delegation; Mr. L. F. Rushbrook-Williams, Foreign member of tho Patiala Cabinet, representing the Indian States, and Mr. C. Y. Chintamani, representing tlie British Indian delegation. INTERNAL SITUATION. INTEREST IN CONFERENCE. REPORT FROM GOVERNMENT. (Received November 18. 5.5 p.m.) British AVireless. RUGBY, Nor. 17. Tho weekly report by the Government of India on the internal situation states that it is too early yet to estimate the attitude of Indian public opinion toward its despatch containing suggestions for reforms. However, whatever that attitude may be, there is no doubt that th* round-table conference is attracting great interest, in Tndia and directing a good deal of public attention toward constructive methods of obtaining a solution of India's constitutional problems.